My Own 2 Cents Worth....
freasabird2003
Wow, I have been lurking in the shadows of this unschooling
discussion forum for a number of months and now feel so moved to
chime in with my own 2 cents worth, and also ask a question or two,
that I hope won't become as "hot" a topic as Susan's recent one.
First, talking about strewing...and I wonder if Susan has tried this
approach....I subscribe to Weekly Reader and just leave it setting
about (sometimes in the bathroom) as well as hanging the posters
that sometimes accompany it on the inside of our front door. This
makes the material accessible without "pushing" it on my kiddos.
They always notice when a new poster goes up, and spend a few
minutes each day (usually as they are leaving the house) to look
over the poster, read it (either aloud or to themselves) and
sometimes the material will spark a conversation. Last week the
poster was of a skeleton with the bones labeled and described. This
week is general health information to prevent catching colds and
flus. The posters are colorful and interesting (for both the
children and for me). I have a world map on the wall and a globe in
the middle of the dining room table. My girls enjoy finding
different locations they hear mentioned on TV and in books.
Secondly, I actually thought I was going to be a "relaxed
homeschooler", but have become an unschooler instead. Having raised
a number of children (I did foster care and adopted several) and
watching them struggle and flounder within the public and private
school sector, (my oldest is 32, the youngest is 7) I almost made
the same "mistake" with the youngest, but fortunately SHE stopped me
just in time. And now we are so enjoying one another's company and
learning from the world around us each and every day. She is very
creative and artistic; give her paper and crayons and a pair of
scissors and she makes the most detailed projects totally on her
own! (Her latest is a "pop-up" scene of animals, birds and their
nests in trees, flowers, and clouds.) I knew that traditional
schooling, either at home or away, was going to stifle this
wonderful creativity that she has going for herself; she is witty
and stubborn and a bit of a free spirit, all attributes that I
admire, but didn't think she would fit inside the "box" with 30
others her age (nor did I want her to!). I grew up in a family who
put great pressure on educational success and who STILL are doing so
with the grandchildren! One of the best things I did was to move
3600 miles away; we have daily communication via email and IM, but I
can CHOOSE what I care to share and not share.....and believe me, I
have plenty of good stuff to share with them!
Third, we reside in the state of Virginia. I am required to notify
my school district of my intention to provide "alternative
education" by August 15 of each school year. This is my first year
as an unschooler and I provided them with a letter of intent that
sort of followed the model that I had seen somewhere in the
unschooling website. Do unschoolers have to write a letter of intent
each year, the same as homeschoolers? Can they claim religious
exemption, thus eliminating the need for the letter?
And last, I have to provide "information on educational progress" by
August 1; this can be in the form of either a standardized test, OR
grades from a correspondence school OR a portfolio with examples of
my child's work in English and Math. (testing or grades are also
required in only English and Math) What do unschoolers typically
present as their child's educational progress for this requirement?
Thanks in advance; best wishes to all.
~Wilda aka "the wild, untamed one" LOL
discussion forum for a number of months and now feel so moved to
chime in with my own 2 cents worth, and also ask a question or two,
that I hope won't become as "hot" a topic as Susan's recent one.
First, talking about strewing...and I wonder if Susan has tried this
approach....I subscribe to Weekly Reader and just leave it setting
about (sometimes in the bathroom) as well as hanging the posters
that sometimes accompany it on the inside of our front door. This
makes the material accessible without "pushing" it on my kiddos.
They always notice when a new poster goes up, and spend a few
minutes each day (usually as they are leaving the house) to look
over the poster, read it (either aloud or to themselves) and
sometimes the material will spark a conversation. Last week the
poster was of a skeleton with the bones labeled and described. This
week is general health information to prevent catching colds and
flus. The posters are colorful and interesting (for both the
children and for me). I have a world map on the wall and a globe in
the middle of the dining room table. My girls enjoy finding
different locations they hear mentioned on TV and in books.
Secondly, I actually thought I was going to be a "relaxed
homeschooler", but have become an unschooler instead. Having raised
a number of children (I did foster care and adopted several) and
watching them struggle and flounder within the public and private
school sector, (my oldest is 32, the youngest is 7) I almost made
the same "mistake" with the youngest, but fortunately SHE stopped me
just in time. And now we are so enjoying one another's company and
learning from the world around us each and every day. She is very
creative and artistic; give her paper and crayons and a pair of
scissors and she makes the most detailed projects totally on her
own! (Her latest is a "pop-up" scene of animals, birds and their
nests in trees, flowers, and clouds.) I knew that traditional
schooling, either at home or away, was going to stifle this
wonderful creativity that she has going for herself; she is witty
and stubborn and a bit of a free spirit, all attributes that I
admire, but didn't think she would fit inside the "box" with 30
others her age (nor did I want her to!). I grew up in a family who
put great pressure on educational success and who STILL are doing so
with the grandchildren! One of the best things I did was to move
3600 miles away; we have daily communication via email and IM, but I
can CHOOSE what I care to share and not share.....and believe me, I
have plenty of good stuff to share with them!
Third, we reside in the state of Virginia. I am required to notify
my school district of my intention to provide "alternative
education" by August 15 of each school year. This is my first year
as an unschooler and I provided them with a letter of intent that
sort of followed the model that I had seen somewhere in the
unschooling website. Do unschoolers have to write a letter of intent
each year, the same as homeschoolers? Can they claim religious
exemption, thus eliminating the need for the letter?
And last, I have to provide "information on educational progress" by
August 1; this can be in the form of either a standardized test, OR
grades from a correspondence school OR a portfolio with examples of
my child's work in English and Math. (testing or grades are also
required in only English and Math) What do unschoolers typically
present as their child's educational progress for this requirement?
Thanks in advance; best wishes to all.
~Wilda aka "the wild, untamed one" LOL
[email protected]
In a message dated 11/9/05 7:30:49 PM, freasabird2003@... writes:
Unschooing is to homeschooling as the open classroom is to traditional
school. You'll still need to describe it, if you're going to register with the
state. (Not all states have such requirements.)
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> -=-This is my first yearhttp://sandradodd.com/unschoolingcurriculum
> as an unschooler and I provided them with a letter of intent that
> sort of followed the model that I had seen somewhere in the
> unschooling website. -=-
>
> -=-Do unschoolers have to write a letter of intentUnschoolers are homeschoolers.
> each year, the same as homeschoolers?-=-
>
Unschooing is to homeschooling as the open classroom is to traditional
school. You'll still need to describe it, if you're going to register with the
state. (Not all states have such requirements.)
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]